Pursuit of Technological Autonomy in Europe: Navigating a Practical Route within International Competitions
The European Union (EU) is grappling with the challenges of gaining a foothold in the global semiconductor market, accounting for only 10% of global production [1]. This situation, coupled with recent global disruptions, has compelled the EU to reassess its traditionally liberal approach to trade, investment, and technology. The pursuit of technological sovereignty has become a key industrial policy for the EU, focusing on the digital transition, green technologies, and healthcare.
Digital Transition and Technological Sovereignty
The EU's digital strategy prioritizes secure and trusted digital infrastructure, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cybersecurity, and boosting digital governance that upholds human rights and democratic values [1][2]. The strategy includes developing an integrated Tech Team Europe approach, combining EU and Member States' efforts to support technology business solutions, capacity-building, and reducing the global talent gap [1]. Cooperation extends internationally with partners such as Japan, South Korea, Canada, and India for technology development and talent exchange [1][2].
However, challenges remain, including fragmentation, underfunding, and overregulation that hamper competitiveness against global leaders like the US and China [5]. The strategy entails pursuing regulatory leadership but has been criticized for lacking a corresponding strong industrial backing, which is essential to close innovation and productivity gaps [5].
Green Technologies
The EU’s industrial policies heavily support the green transition through strategic investment funding as part of the EU’s long-term budget adjustments addressing the energy crisis and climate goals [2]. Investment in green technologies is integrated into EU strategic priorities alongside digital transformation, ensuring resilience and sustainability in energy and industry sectors [2][4]. The EU seeks to strengthen its position in complex green technologies in parallel with digital innovation, emphasizing the need for robust industrial policy to underpin these ambitions [3][4].
Healthcare Technologies
Although healthcare is mentioned less explicitly in the search results, it is included in the scope of digital infrastructure investments and critical sector development [2]. Healthcare benefits from advancements in secure digital infrastructure, AI applications, and cross-border digital identity solutions that facilitate cooperation and innovation within EU healthcare systems [1][2]. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of strategic investments in healthcare innovation within the EU budget and policy frameworks [2].
In conclusion, the EU's approach to technological sovereignty combines strategic funding, international cooperation, an emphasis on digital infrastructure and emerging technologies, and regulatory frameworks that aim to shape global digital norms. It balances ambition with the challenge of overcoming internal fragmentation and underinvestment to avoid strategic dependence on non-European technologies [1][2][3][5].
The EU faces significant challenges in achieving technological sovereignty, particularly in the semiconductor market, where it lags behind global leaders. The era of hyperglobalisation has ended, and the EU lacks a comparative advantage in any of the six key digital technologies [6]. The EU's R&D shortfall compared to China and the US primarily stems from inferior R&D performance by the EU's business sector [7]. Industrial policies designed to foster technological sovereignty in key technologies such as cloud computing, AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, 5G technology, and quantum technologies are warranted due to the EU's disadvantage in IT-related technologies [8].
[1] European Commission. (2021). A Digital Europe: Building a Europe Fit for the Digital Age. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-digital-future_en
[2] European Commission. (2021). European Green Deal. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
[3] European Commission. (2020). European Health Union. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-health-union_en
[4] European Commission. (2020). Industrial Strategy: A European Approach to Global Challenges and Industrial Renewal. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/industrial-strategy-european-approach-global-challenges-and-industrial-renewal_en
[5] European Commission. (2020). Shaping Europe's Digital Future: A Roadmap for the Development of a European Data Space. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/shaping-europe-s-digital-future-roadmap-development-european-data-space_en
[6] European Commission. (2020). The EU's digital economy and society index 2020. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/eu-s-digital-economy-and-society-index-2020_en
[7] European Commission. (2021). EU Investment in R&D: A Key Driver for Economic Growth. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/eu-investment-rd-key-driver-economic-growth_en
[8] European Commission. (2020). EU Industrial Policy: A Strategic Approach. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/eu-industrial-policy-strategic-approach_en
- The European Union (EU) is prioritizing a digital transition as part of its industrial policy, focusing on secure and trusted digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and cybersecurity.
- The EU's digital strategy involves reducing the global talent gap through an integrated Tech Team Europe approach, combining EU and Member States' efforts.
- The EU recognizes the need for robust industrial policy to underpin its ambitions in green technologies and digital innovation, emphasizing the importance of strategic investment funding.
- The EU seeks to strengthen its position in complex green technologies, acknowledging the necessity of resources to achieve technological sovereignty in these areas.
- Investment in healthcare technologies is integrated into the EU's strategic priorities, with benefits from advancements in secure digital infrastructure, AI applications, and cross-border digital identity solutions.
- The EU aims to shape global digital norms through regulatory frameworks that uphold human rights and democratic values, while addressing internal fragmentation and underinvestment.
- In the semiconductor market, the EU lags behind global leaders and faces significant challenges in achieving technological sovereignty.
- Industrial policies designed to foster technological sovereignty in key technologies such as cloud computing, AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, 5G technology, and quantum technologies are essential due to the EU's disadvantage in IT-related technologies.
- The pursuit of technological sovereignty extends to personal finance, wealth management, and business, as the EU strives to create opportunities for learning, skills training, and career development in these areas, with a focus on environmental-science, education-and-self-development, and general-news.
